Iran official urges ‘reconsideration’ of foreign policy

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

TEHRAN

Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Motahari on Wednesday said his country's policy of promoting "Shia doctrine" in the region had adversely affected its foreign policy.

“Iran’s current political approach is problematic, both internally and externally,” Motahari was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

“Attempts to expand our influence in the [Middle East] region by promoting Shia doctrine isn’t the right approach,” he said.

“Tehran's continued adherence to this policy has driven [Sunni-Arab] countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) closer to Israel,” Motahari added.

He also called for a “reconsideration” of Iran’s current foreign policy trajectory and improved relations with states of the region.

Some Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, accuse Tehran of pursuing an “expansionist” regional policy and interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

TEHRAN

Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Motahari on Wednesday said his country's policy of promoting "Shia doctrine" in the region had adversely affected its foreign policy.

“Iran’s current political approach is problematic, both internally and externally,” Motahari was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

“Attempts to expand our influence in the [Middle East] region by promoting Shia doctrine isn’t the right approach,” he said.

“Tehran's continued adherence to this policy has driven [Sunni-Arab] countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) closer to Israel,” Motahari added.

He also called for a “reconsideration” of Iran’s current foreign policy trajectory and improved relations with states of the region.

Some Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, accuse Tehran of pursuing an “expansionist” regional policy and interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.